Mary+D

The hot water raised the scent bubbles in the basin as I gazed out of the window onto the small pasture south of the house. Dishes again--- a routine daily chore of any housewife did not irritate me. The movements of dipping, wiping,rinising ,and draining released my mind, thoughts of people known, times past, and times to come traveled through my thoughts. I reworked frantic moments and discerned the real reason for my upset.. I watched the newest foal kicking up his heels in a dance of life and reminded myself to write to my cousin of his birth .During the busy seasons of harvest fair and silage cuttings, I made survival plans. Dishwashing ,especially in the evening, was meditation.

Once knowing the fifteen or more around the table was not uncommon, my loving spouse offered to buy a dishwasher. After some thought, I refused. He was amazed and try as I might to explain my reluctance, he could not understand.

Now years later, divorced and all three girls on their own, I have that dishwasher and of course, I use it. Sometimes, however, when I need to think I let warm water build fragrant bubbles.